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Turn compassion into social action: Satyarthi

KATHMANDU, DEC 22 - Nobel Peace Prize winner Kailash Satyarthi wrapped up his three-day visit to Nepal on Sunday. Before leaving he said that he hopes to return soon and continue the activists to further the cause of child rights.

Speaking at a program organised at Mahendra Police Club in Kathmandu , Satyarthi said that he was touched by overwhelming response and support he received from Nepali public. “I have a special place in my heart for the children of Nepal and India and I wanted to come to Nepal before visiting any other country after receiving the Nobel Prize,” he said.

The 2014 Nobel laureate also talked about the importance of working together to promote child rights. “We have to create a culture of rights. We have to translate compassion into a social movement that will benefit the children,” he said.

Executive Director of the Central Child Welfare Board Tarak Dhital highlighted the importance of collective efforts towards combating child exploitation. “As we speak, hundreds of thousands of children are being exploited and we have to put a stop to that,” he said.

At the event, Minister of Women, Children and Social Welfare Neelam KC handed over a letter of appreciation to Satyarthi, recognising his efforts towards stopping child exploitation, both in Nepal and India.

Satyarthi who received the Nobel Peace Prize along with 17-year-old Malala Yousafzai has helped rescue and rehabilitate more than 12,000 Nepali children working in circuses, embroidery factories and households.

His organisation, the Bachpan Bachaon Andolan has saved about 84,000 children since its establishment.

In 1998, Satyarthi led a global march against child labour that saw the support from more than 7.2 million people from 103 countries. It became one of the largest social movements on child exploitation.

“We are not only celebrating the courage of Kailash Bhaiya but also the courage of children who have stood up against the odds,” said Executive Director of Child Workers In Nepal Concerned Centre Sumnina Tuladhar. “The Nobel Peace Prize is a global recognition to the fight against child abuse and we will continue to work against any forms of exploitation,” she said.